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Better than the S&W model 65? Say it isnt so!

D

dandyrandy

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IMG_0669 by Dandy Randy, on Flickr
I got tired of looking at these S&W model 65 3 inch revolvers that looked like they were found in the HMS Titanic for these absurd prices so I went with the Colt King Cobra with the 3 inch barrel instead. Looked like a good contender for a replacement for my beloved 65 and the gun was new so no more looking at used garbage. Its been a couple years now and Im at the 1000 round count mark with mostly cheap 38 special... ha ha I say cheap.. Not no more! But at least its cheaper than 357. Heck another reason to get a 9mm pistol I guess. Anyways I digress. I have to report the King Cobra lived up to its name and has a poisonous bite! I was worried that the gun wouldnt make it because of the Colt bafoonery as of late but I guess who ever put mine together had a donut and a smile that day and did a good job puttin mine together. The revolver has performed flawlessly. The double action is very nice and smooth and the timing and lock up is still like brand new. The Pachmayr Grippers came loose once but that was easily solved with a screw driver. So lets talk about some key differences between the two guns. The big difference between the S&W model 65 and the King Cobra, besides the obvious Colt and S&W differences Im not gonna waste time talking about, is the weight of the two guns. The King Cobra is lighter but I dont feel like its too light where its uncomfortable to shoot 357. The King Cobra also has a full length protected ejector rod which is a plus. The downside of the King Cobra is the amount of accessories available. The Model 65 has more grip and accessory options but its really not a big deal. Both guns could probably use the same holster anyway so who cares. Would I still buy a S&W 65 3 inch? If the prices came back to planet Earth prices instead of planet Wakkado prices than yes I would however it would have to be nice and I would send it back to S&W for a rework that would cost me a lot of money for a gun that still after all that Performance Center work and money would still not have the same comparable sweet trigger pull as my King Cobra. Ya see what Im sayin? So Im not looking for a 3 inch model 65 anymore and seeing the insane prices of a new 4 inch Colt Python I think I would rather have a 4 inch barrel model 65 instead. The prices on those havent left our solar system to coo coo land yet.
IMG_0674 by Dandy Randy, on Flickr
 
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I forgot to mention you can replace the front sight easily on the King Cobra with an Allen key. Dont get me wrong the copper dot front sight post is new to me but it works great! So I can put a fiber optic sight on the gun or a night sight. I prefer the night sight option. Just one bright night sight on the front is a great option for a self defense gun.
 
taurus 856 by Dandy Randy, on Flickr
I also wanted to to give an honorable mention to another revovler which I think is an outstanding option if you have gotten tired of planet crazy land prices for the model 65 3 inch revolver. I highly recommend the drum roll please...... The Taurus! What???!!! Ya you heard me right the Taurus I didnt stutter! The model 856 in a 3 inch barrel to be exact. Its waaaaay cheaper than the two above mentioned revolvers. If you dont got the cabbage or your just a cheap skate or you just like cool guns like me than the Taurus is an outstanding deal! yes it holds 6 in the cylinder like the two above mentioned however its only in 38 special though.
 
What's better than a 3" Taurus in .38 Special? A Model 64. Shown here with two other 3" friends (SP101 in .327 and K6S in .357)
Three-Inch-Revolvers.jpg
 
The most positive development in the revolver world in many, many years is the return of the small frame, six shot .38/.357 D frame sized revolvers. Charter Arms, Taurus, Colt, and Kimber are all making D frame size revolvers now.

I love Smiths, but in my humble opinion the D frame sized guns are the perfect carry revolvers. They are just slightly bigger than J frames, yet they are true six shooters. They are easier to shoot well than a five shot pocket rocket and they are much easier to carry than a medium frame revolver. Now if we could just convince S&W to give the Model 73/C frame another try, and Ruger to finally make the SP101 the small frame .38/.357 six shooter it should have been from the start, all would be right with the revolver world (or at least start to head in that direction).
 
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Is the 65 3" gun bringing top notch prices? I've got one and knew it is a good gun, but didn't realize it is a prized revolver.
 
I've been a hard core S&W guy most of my gun buying life, but the 2020 Python has almost got me over into the Colt camp. I've got three of them now, paid MSRP for two of them, and a a couple hundred over for the third just a month or so ago. That's one 6" and two 4" ones. Great guns.

The biggest thing I notice is the triggers. These guns just beg to be fired double action.
 
I don't, indeed, get out much. And since I've never thought about selling it or valuing it, I don't know what it's worth. It was a retirement gift from my first retirement back in 86. It was my duty revolver, but I carried a 1911 mostly so it didn't get shot much. The grips, which I replaced but still have, are like new. I put elk antler on the gun along with a Tyler T-grip. I don't think I've ever fired a .357 round through it as .38 Special was our duty load.
 
dandyrandy said:
taurus 856 by Dandy Randy, on Flickr
I also wanted to to give an honorable mention to another revovler which I think is an outstanding option if you have gotten tired of planet crazy land prices for the model 65 3 inch revolver. I highly recommend the drum roll please...... The Taurus! What???!!! Ya you heard me right the Taurus I didnt stutter! The model 856 in a 3 inch barrel to be exact. Its waaaaay cheaper than the two above mentioned revolvers. If you dont got the cabbage or your just a cheap skate or you just like cool guns like me than the Taurus is an outstanding deal! yes it holds 6 in the cylinder like the two above mentioned however its only in 38 special though.
Click to expand...
I've been wanting a new Taurus. But I don't want the lock.
 
ladder13 said:
People tend to have their sacred cows here, and will just never come to grips with another make of gun being better than their Golden Calf.
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Ignoring the lighter barelled L frames (619/620 and 686 Mountain Guns) is a good example of this when it comes to medium frame revolvers.
 
Miami_JBT said:
I've been wanting a new Taurus. But I don't want the lock.
Click to expand...

I believe the only revolvers in the new 856 lineup that have the hammer lock are the CA. compliant guns. A D frame sized 856 would be a great choice for a new Taurus. D frame sized revolvers are the perfect carry revolvers in my eyes, and one of those rare revolvers that let you have your cake and eat it too. If Taurus can keep their QC in check, they have a real gem here.
 
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Sistema1927 said:
What's better than a 3" Taurus in .38 Special? A Model 64. Shown here with two other 3" friends (SP101 in .327 and K6S in .357)
Three-Inch-Revolvers.jpg
Click to expand...

I went at length before how much I like the 327 magnum. The SP-101 is built like a German Panzer tank however the double action trigger is not so good GI.
 
dandyrandy said:
I went at length before how much I like the 327 magnum. The SP-101 is built like a German Panzer tank however the double action trigger is not so good GI.
Click to expand...

I have beat this dead horse for years, but it is still one worth kicking. The curse of the SP101 is that it is a D frame sized revolver with J frame capacity. It should have always been a small frame six shot .38/.357. Ruger should have went with a slightly taller frame size, and a 1.40" diameter cylinder, instead of a 1.35" diameter cylinder. Now that other companies are making small frame .38/.357 six shooters, this is the time to correct this mistake. Ruger also has the LCR lineup and a seven shot GP100, so there are no reasons not to do this.

When it comes to small frame revolvers the .327 thrives in turning a J frame sized gun into a six shooter. A new LCRX in .327 with a 3" barrel would make a lot of .327 fans happy. It would also be nice to see S&W offer steel .38 only J frames and .327 J frames again.
 
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dandyrandy said:
I went at length before how much I like the 327 magnum. The SP-101 is built like a German Panzer tank however the double action trigger is not so good GI.
Click to expand...

A little bit of polishing and a couple of shims cleaned up the trigger pull so that it is acceptable now. Shouldn't be that way, but it is not just Ruger who are cutting corners these days.

However, I just purchased a Charter Arms Undercoverette in .32 H&R (2"), and the trigger is pretty good right out of the box. I just replaced the DA/SA hammer with a DAO one yesterday.
 
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